New GA deer hunter...steps after kill?

[fortyfive2life]

Good advice, appreciate it.

You asked about wearing orange, OP...I would. It is difficult to know if someone strayed over the property lines - inadvertantly, of course - and that blaze could save your life. I don't know anything about where you hunt and if you can be 100% certain you are alone out there. I tend to err on the side of caution and while the deer may see a big blotch that is me, if you are still, it is not a liability...at least it hasn't been for me...ymmv

 

[poopdaddy]

My processor has NEVER looked at my harvest record and he's no fly by night (year round processor of cattle/hogs as his main livliehood).
To answer the OP, call the processor and see if he takes them on the hoof (ungutted). Then shoot, fill out tag, make your decision to gut (or not), process (get some jerky) and enjoy.
Filing out the tag allows the 1:10,000 chance you happen upon a WRD agent en route, to make sure you are legal (either sex days, etc...)

You bring up a question I never thought about though. Does a landowner need to take the hunter safety course if hunting their own land (since they don't need a license). Hmmm... interesting. I guess not, but now I have to find out.

nope
just go to any store that sells licenses and get your land owner tags. no fee, no HSC proof needed.. you can hunt your land and blood (immediate family) relatives land.